Can't Decimate Models in ZBrush

Mitchellangelo

I don't know why my computer is on drugs all of a sudden.  I used to have NO problem with this at all, now it won't even pre-process one lousy model.  I'm trying to decimate my models, but every time I hit "Pre-Process Current" in Decimation Master, it doesn't do a damn thing.  It just says "Computing please wait...." and it never ends.  Obviously I can't decimate my models without first preprocessing them.  Does anybody know why this is?

kanga

Just a guess,... do you have any parts masked?

Mitchellangelo

No, nothing is masked, or hidden

cryrid

Some things I would try:

• Use the Makepolymesh3d button, then try to decimate that. This button will basically spit out a copy of the model that has a lot of data removed (subdivision levels, layers, polypaint, etc). 
  
  
• Dynamesh the model, then try to decimate that. This too will toss out a lot of vertex data as it retopologizes everything, so it could flush out whatever the problem is in the process.
  
  
• Try adjusting the DM settings (Use DLL, increased number of threads).
  
  
• Try deleting the existing DM cache, and maybe see if you can locate where it is on your harddrive so that it isn't set to read-only. Make sure your C:/users folder does not have any non-latin characters while you're at it.
  
  
• Try decimating using the Gizmo ("Remesh by Decimation"). 
  
  
• Adjust the scale of the model and try again (I'm not sure if DM is affected by scale or not, but it couldn't hurt to try). 

jRocket

I have had this happen before on certain meshes and it sounds like a bug. I'd suggest submitting a ticket with pixologic. https://support.pixologic.com/Tickets/Submit

Mitchellangelo

Thank you @cryrid and @jRocket, I'll give those options a shot.  It really might be a bug

kanga

Mitchellangelo said:

No, nothing is masked, or hidden

Just to check, Cntrl and drag a rectangle on the canvas. That has worked for me several times even if no mask is visible.

Mitchellangelo

It doesn't hurt to double check

Mitchellangelo

Something I forgot too is that just recently everytime I open ZBrush this stupid webpage opens up:  http://pixologic.com/404/.  Does this mean anything?

erinxphoenix

• cryrid said:

  Some things I would try:

  
  

  • Use the Makepolymesh3d button, then try to decimate that. This button will basically spit out a copy of the model that has a lot of data removed (subdivision levels, layers, polypaint, etc). 
    
    
  • Dynamesh the model, then try to decimate that. This too will toss out a lot of vertex data as it retopologizes everything, so it could flush out whatever the problem is in the process.
    
    
  • Try adjusting the DM settings (Use DLL, increased number of threads).
    
    
  • Try deleting the existing DM cache, and maybe see if you can locate where it is on your harddrive so that it isn't set to read-only. Make sure your C:/users folder does not have any non-latin characters while you're at it.
    
    
  • Try decimating using the Gizmo ("Remesh by Decimation"). 
    
    
  • Adjust the scale of the model and try again (I'm not sure if DM is affected by scale or not, but it couldn't hurt to try). 

  
  
  i know this has been a while ago, but the tip to DynaMesh the model really helped me thank you  
  

  
  

  i K

iam717

since it got bumped, export / reimport might work, I'd even try export reimport to alt application reimport to problematic application if nothing else worked.  (didn't read entire thread,tldr,lazy day for me)

Tamosch94

Hey what worked for me was to turn off symmetry (press X key) or Transform > disable symmetry tab

HAWK12HT

Delete your pre process cache in preferences of Decimation, also delete morph target. 

Export as ztool and load it in a brand new scene and try decimating

Check if by mistake you have lowered the memory / cpu use in preferences.